Moto-Lita Steering Wheel

The first 120 or so 1965 Shelbys received the 16" Cobra steering wheel.
These wheels were obtained from AC Cars who had them manufactured
by the Blumanthal Brothers of Liverpool. ( long out of business ) They had no markings. The 15" steering wheel replacements supplied by Moto-Lita to Shelby-American have no markings. However, in the late 80's and early 90's, as demand increased for these steering wheels ( both 15" & 16" ) Moto-Lita began to supply both sizes and they started to mark them with "Moto-Lita"
on the back side of the steering wheel. Usually on the left ( horizontal )
spoke as viewed from the rear. I have the 16" installed in my Shelby, and
find it makes steering a lot easier and looks cool too!
Reagard, shlby66.

1966 GT350 #188

 

Hi shlby66

Do you have manual Transmission?
I`ve heard that it is pretty hard to press the
clutch because of the big steering wheel thats why
the switched to 15". What can you say about it?
I have a 15" Moto Lita too and it is 1st class quality steering
wheel!
Almost weights nothing but still strong material.

Bye Jerry

 

I have no complaints on having the 16" steering wheel installed in the Shelby.
There is plenty of room for me to actuate the clutch. I am of average size:
5' 8" and 175 lbs. Maybe someone who is quite tall or with long legs could have an interference with the 16" steering wheel. I just kind of think that
perhaps it was just a production change because of supply problems that
changed the steering wheel from 16" to 15". Whatever, I do enjoy the look
and feel of the 16" er. Really dresses up the interior!
Regards, shlby66

1966 GT350 #188

 

Hi shlby66

Could you please post some pictures?
I love pictures!
Would be great thanks

Bye Jerry

 

hi - attached is a pict of a moto lito wheel which i have recently taken out of my car to replace with the original wheel. It has the moto lito inscription on the front right hand side....do you think this may be an original? cheers.

 

66SHLBYNZ, Yes, that is a MOTO-LITA 15" steering wheel, probably from the early 90's. I have seen the MOTO-LITA script on the front before, but not
often. By the way, the 16" steering wheels have a split center ( the spokes
are not attached to each other ) thus requires a retaining ring to attach it
to the hub, while the 15" wheel is a one piece stamping. 15' & 16" wheels really dress up the interior of a Shelby.
shlby66

 

NOS 65 Shelby steering wheel

I have the opportunity to buy a NOS 65 Shelby steering wheel that was purchased in 66. IM NOT SURE IF ITS A 65 OR 66 STEERING WHEEL AS OF YET. Stll in the original box. Any thought to the value and fair offer I should make on the wheel?. I know the wheels are reproduced today. Im not sure if they share the same value that an original 67 Shelby wheel gets today? If the deal goes down I will be posting it here or on Ebay for sale.



Input?

Jim

 

Re: NOS 65 Shelby steering wheel

Jim,
Make sure of what is before you pay out any money. If it is an FIV or a Secura, they aren't worth much because they were aftermarket or over the counter.
Dave

 

Re: NOS 65 Shelby steering wheel

You might want to judge off of these two eBay auctions....the second auction was the first wheel that was used on the 65 which was 16 inches, then they switched to the three hole variation which was 15 inches after approx first 100 cars, i think around car 246 they switched to a 15 inch wheel in the same style of the 16 inch wheel used on the first 100 cars.
This means that the two auctions listed here are the rarest of the three.
Might want to judge the price you pay off of these items even though they aren't close to NOS.
It is very important to know what wheel you are buying because as you can see, these two wheels are each twice as rare as the third wheel and in result they are worth far more.
I am not an expert when it comes to steering wheels....just thought i should say what i know.
Best Regards,
Vern

 

Re: NOS 65 Shelby steering wheel

Vern you are all about Due Diligence!! I like it!

 

Re: NOS 65 Shelby steering wheel

Well...i try
Vern

 

Re: NOS 65 Shelby steering wheel

Vern:

WOW. Now thats what I call info on hand! Thank you for you help man. I plan to get a better look at the wheel soon. Have a great day.

Thanks again
Jim

GT350DAVE, Your help is appreciated too!
Jim

 

I try to do what i can
Lovin watching the progress of 3000

Hey, if your watching....the 3 whole 15 inch version was ended without a bid.....sounds like an offer the seller couldn't refuse.
Best Regards,
Vern

 

Re: NOS 65 Shelby steering wheel

Hey Vern
I don't know who the seller is but I have bid against him on a few auctions and then noticed if he was high bidder you could'nt bid enough to out bid him. So I quit bidding if he was high bidder!! My pockets aren't that deep!! He's got the stuff though.

 

Re: NOS 65 Shelby steering wheel

Gotta hate that.....just makes ya sick!
Its like bidders at Barrett Jackson all of the sudden coming to the realization that they are bidding against ron pratte!
Best Regards,
Vern

 

Re: NOS 65 Shelby steering wheel

Now you got me wondering WHO's ron pratte. Never been to BJA

 

Re: NOS 65 Shelby steering wheel

I have the 3 hole spoke steering wheel on my 65 Shelby #386, and it's unrestored. Has a few loose rivets and that old wood patina. You're right, only about 75 to 90 of the 65 Shelbys had this type wheel. Actually, I would have preferred the 16 inch slotted wheel.

 

Re: NOS 65 Shelby steering wheel

Right, the seller said they could have been scattered among cars so it is almost impossible to actually tell what cars got what.
I do think the slotted wheels are better looking,,,and the 16 inch version obviously the rarest.
Best Regards,
Vern

 

Re: NOS 65 Shelby steering wheel

The 1997 SAAC Registry tells you how many and which 65 Shelbys received the 3 hole steering wheels, and all 3 steering wheels, actually. These are the ones reported by the owners/past owners. Page 361, the Serial Number Grid Codes. I know the next registry will have more information on all the steering wheels.